Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for a two-day visit to Kuwait. During this two-day visit of PM Modi, the focus is expected to be on strengthening relations between India and the Gulf country in several key areas including defense and trade. 

Modi will hold talks with Kuwait's top leadership, visit an Indian labour camp, address the Indian community and attend the opening ceremony of the Gulf Cup football tournament. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years. A day before the PM's visit, the External Affairs Ministry said discussions were on for a bilateral investment treaty and a defence cooperation agreement with Kuwait. 

Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Overseas Indian Affairs) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said in a press conference that some bilateral documents are expected to be signed during the Prime Minister's visit. He said, "The Prime Minister's historic visit is expected to start a new chapter in India-Kuwait bilateral relations." He said, "It will not only strengthen the partnership in existing areas, but will also open new avenues for future cooperation, reinforce our shared values ​​and build a stronger partnership for the future." 

Chatterjee said the visit is also expected to boost relations between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Chatterjee said India is in talks with the GCC for a free trade agreement. "We hope both sides will be successful in concluding it," he said. Speaking about Modi's planned visit to a labour camp in Kuwait, Chatterjee said the Indian government attaches great importance to the welfare of all Indian workers abroad. "The purpose of the Prime Minister's visit to the labour camp is to show how much importance the Indian government gives to our workers. That is the main purpose," he said.

PM Modi is going on this visit at the invitation of Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Apart from meeting the Emir, Modi will also hold talks with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Kuwait. Chatterjee said, "This visit will help in developing a stronger partnership between the two countries." He said that Modi will review bilateral relations with the Kuwaiti leadership, including in the areas of trade, investment, energy, culture and people-to-people contact. Earlier, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Kuwait in 1981. India is one of Kuwait's top trading partners and the Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait. Kuwait is one of India's top trading partners, with bilateral trade standing at US$ 10.47 billion in the financial year 2023-24. Kuwait is India's sixth largest crude oil supplier, meeting up to three percent of the country's energy requirements. Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah visited India on a private visit in July 2017. Earlier in 2013, the Prime Minister of Kuwait had made a high-level visit to India.